Harold N. Schroeder, 87, passed away on July 21, 2026 at Ascension Hospital Hospice Care in Franklin, Wisconsin surrounded by his loving family. Harold and wife Barbara called Seneca, Wisconsin home from 1996 to 2020 when their family convinced them to return to the City of Oak Creek in Southeastern Wisconsin. In 1980, they had bought vacation land above DeSoto and already loved the Driftless Region.
Harold was born 11-01-1938 to Alfred and Sophie (Andrejeski) Schroeder in Milwaukee and moved to Town of Lake in Milwaukee County as a child. His parents became farmers/caretakers for the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi farm there until 1953 when they moved to Cudahy, Wisconsin. He graduated from Cudahy High School in 1957.
Harold married Barbara Ann Schmidt in 1960 at Holy Family Parish in Cudahy where they lived until buying their home in Oak Creek where they and their children lived until Harold and Barb moved West.
Harold served his Country by enlisting in the Wisconsin National Guard 32nd Division in 1959, training in Missouri, California and the State of Washington but his unit was thankfully not called overseas.
Harold had driven truck early in his marriage. In 1964 he was hired by Advance Transportation Co. of Milwaukee where he enjoyed semi-truck driving until 1995. After having triple bypass open heart surgery, he decided it was time to relax and enjoy life.
Harold soon became part of the Ridge and Valley community of Seneca. Their neighbors then on Seneca Heights became extended family - the Smiths, the Snyders, the Johnsons, the Olsons, the Greenes, the Starkeys and so many more over the years. He had bountiful gardens, developed a natural prairie plot, and had many beloved dogs. Harold enjoyed driving truck and working for Olson Feed for several years. Harold was very active in the Seneca Lions. He served on the Seneca Sanitary District #1, the Seneca District School Board, was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish and later St. Mary’s Parish in Gays Mills. Harold volunteered wherever he was needed. He enjoyed doing the play-by-play at the Seneca High football games. He truly loved his time living in the beautiful western edge of Wisconsin near the Mississippi River, and his family always enjoyed coming out to relax and visit.
Harold was proceeded in death by his parents, his brothers Thomas, Richard, Jerome and Eugene, his sister-in-law Caroline and many other relatives and friends. Harold is lovingly survived by Barbara, his wife of 66 years and their children Deborah (Brian) Guthrie, Douglas (Diana) Schroeder, Michael (Nancy) Schroeder and Judith (Randall) Leu; his sister Dorothy Schroeder, his sisters-in-law Margaret Schroeder and Donna Schroeder, 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren plus a new one on the way.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday August 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 9303 S. Chicago Rd., Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 5 from 5-7 p.m. and Thursday, August 6 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Gathering Space at the church.
